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US Open Brittany Championship Trial Results

1966 United States Open Brittany Championship
Way Kan Jill Wins Championship; Britt’s Bazooka Runner-Up
By Hank Havens

WAY KAN JILL, sparkling white and orange Brittany bitch, owned sparkling by J. E. Leverich of Pampa, Tex., and handled by Delmar Smith, captured the 1966 United States Brittany Open Championship, held February 19-20 at Lake Murray State Park near Ardmore, Okla. Jill claimed the title with a tremendous ground pattern and two magnificent covey finds. Runner-up honors went to Britt's Bazooka, white and orange Brittany dog, owned by A. H. Pillow of Oklahoma City, Okla., and also handled by Delmar Smith. Britt scored two excellent covey finds, with a great display of game handling ability and a very fine race. The dividing line between these two closely matched fireball competitors was drawn by the slight but definite edge held by Jill in the ground-running department.

The United States Brittany Championship Association, sponsors of the Championship, have tried to pattern this stake along the lines of the National Free-for-All which, because of the rugged physical demands and high standards, is generally considered to be the toughest stakes in the country to win. This stake was conceived (like the Free-for-All) for breed improvement, and intended to glorify the determined Brittany with the game-finding desire and physical attributes essential for a winning performance in an hour qualifying heat, then returning for another rigorous hour in the finals. The high, tough cover on Lake Murray courses this year was really punishing and may have made conditions even more demanding than intended.

A light entry of only eight starters was a severe disappointment to Club officials, even though the quality of the stake was up to highest expectations. Several different theories were advanced for the cause of the light entry, such as the heavy snow and ice that have plagued most of the country this winter. However, the powers-that-be expressed a strong determination to leave no stone unturned to find the key to the door that will engender for this stake the popular support that it rightfully deserves, without lowering standards one whit.

The grounds have been described in detail on many occasion. Coveys were large and wild, all the pen-raised birds that were released last fall having either gone the way of the weak or been educated til nature's law of survival of the fittest.

The weather was near the finest this region can offer, with hunting conditions at an optimum. Each day was bright and clear, with frosty, crisp mornings that warmed up to the middle-sixties each afternoon.

Don Huddleston is the Club's popular president and prime mover. Delmar Smith very ably filled the role of secretary this year, assisted by his lovely wife, Jeanne, and it should be noted here that Jeanne is the daughter of the late and beloved professional B. F. [Dutch] Epperson. Others helping with the execution of the stake include Joe McCary as marshal; Star Taylor in charge of grounds; Don Norris handled the dogwagon; plus, Leroy Faulkner, Myers Horton, Bill Garrett, Pete Hunt, and J. W. Emde.

Many patrons of the sport from the local area were on hand to make up a sizable gallery. Those visiting from afar included Mr. and Mrs Bob Richardson from Houston, Tex.; Dr. and Mrs. Roger Wyant of Lawton, Okla., Mr. and Mrs. Phil Robertson of Dallas, Tex., and Mr. and Mrs. Joe Sanders of Wichita Falls, Tex.

Judging was handled by the capable Earl Jackson of Lawton, Okla., and your reporter, Hank Havens of Ardmore, Okla. It was a real pleasure to have the opportunity to work with this veteran of the judicial circuit.

The United States Open Brittany Championship

Way Kan Jill, seven-year-old brilliant performing bitch came into this stake with impressive credentials, having garnered an impressive total of placements, a number of these against pointer and setter competition in shooting dog stakes. She won this stake in 1963, and was a finalist in '64 and '65. Jill gained the crown by almost perfectly fulfilling the purpose of the stake. In any endurance test, great emphasis is always placed on a strong race with good finish. In her first hour, Jill ran up a remarkable score of five corking covey finds and a race without error. In her final hour, on a different course, she had a wider, more powerful ground heat and added two sparkling covey finds.

Britt's Bazooka, five-year-old dog, might have reversed positions with Jill had he rendered a more consistent ground pattern. Britt had two flawless covey finds, with hard, positive boldness that bespoke a great nose and fine bird-sense. His finish was strong, but he had two spells when his range was more restricted. He had a strong ground effort in the first hour, and one jam-up covey find. Britt has accounted for some twenty placements and, like Jill, some of these were earned in pointer-setter trials. Britt placed third in the 1962 Brittany Futurity, and won this stake last year.

Worthy of special mention was Peewee of Sundown, owned by Wayne Porter of Lubbock, Tex. Peewee laid down the biggest race witnessed during the two days, but went birdless.

The Running

Britt's Bazooka—Peewee of Sundown.—The former had a stong, searching race and scored one wellhandled covey find. Peewee showed to great advantage and was outside his bracemate most of the way.

Bill's Buddy Boy—Rusty’s Britt.—The former searched with honest effort at moderate pace, scored a well-handled single find, and was credited with a mannerly back. Rusty impressed with great driving ability and an eagerness to find game. He scored on a covey but failed to pin his birds well.

Way Kan Jill, a bye.—She ran the country in fine fashion, seldom behind and, as mentioned, ran up five flawless covey finds.

Brandy, a bye.—Brandy searched hard at moderate range, scoring an excellent covy find on draw. Handler called the flight of birds as we rode to point in plumb thicket, but these were not officially observed and none could be flushed from the stand.

Biffer Boy, a bye.—Boy went the route with drive and hustle, showing an eagerness to hunt, and finished well.

Tim, a bye.—Tim hunted with purpose at moderate pace and range.

Way Kan Jill, Brandy, Biffer Boy, and Tim were all handled by Delmar Smith.

The Finals

Rusty’s Britt—Biffer Boy.—Britt went with the same flashy burst of speed he had in the first hour, and hunted with purpose. He had two creditable backs. Boy scored impressively on a big covey, going up a long draw, location exact and deportment in good order. He patterned his country in a likable manner and showed to the front well, but was charged with a unproductive in plumb thickets where a covey is known to range.

Way Kan Jill—Peewee of Sundown.— This pair of fleetfooted sprinters canvassed a wealth of country with speed and intelligence. Peewee made the wider sweeps. Jill, speeding to objectives in logical order, scored two well-spaced covey finds. Both finished strong.

Britt's Bazooka, a bye.—Britt scored perhaps the best find of the stake at the bear trap, where he was found pointing a huge covey deep into the brush at lake’s edge, with good location and excellent manners. After the find his range was curbed for awhile before he again started reaching, and he scored his second find on a covey along timbered ridge where he displayed exceptional bird-sense in properly handling a running covey on dry leaves. After the find, he was content to go at a more comfortable pace for a period, before picking up for a very strong finish. Britt showed a marked ability to handle game, but lacked somewhat in that burning desire to keep driving, which cost him the top position.

Bill's Buddy Boy, a bye.—Buddy was moderate in range but searched with honest application and displayed judgment in selection of his objectives. He was beginning to show signs of the long haul when picked up.

Ardmore, Okla., February 19
Judges: Earl Jackson and Hank Havens

UNITED STATES OPEN BRITTANY CHAMPIONSHIP
[One-Hour Qualifying Heats; One-Hour Finals]—27 Brittany Spaniels
Winner— WAY KAN JILL, 596832, bitch, by Ferdinand of Leeway—Price’s Sunflower Gal. J. E. Leverich, owner; Delmar Smith, handler.
Runner-Up— BRITT'S BAZOOKA, 675519, dog, by Holliday Britt—Towsey’s Tinkle Bell. Al Pillow, owner; Delmar Smith, handler.